Memories of Underdevelopment

Why does Sergio Carmona Mendoyo (Sergio Corrieri) stay in Havana after the Bay of Pigs, when his wife and family board the flight to Miami and leave him alone in the city? He watches the island brace for invasion and spends his days following young women through the streets, until he meets Elena (Daisy Granados) and sets about making her into his ex-wife. Tomás Gutiérrez Alea keeps Sergio's voice at a slight distance, so the film looks at him as much as through him.